"The proceeds from this conversion are then sent to the account holder's state unclaimed property office to be held until the owner makes a claim to recover the U.S. dollar proceeds of this conversion."
You can go to unclaimed.org to claim back lost funds.
I travel 8-10 times a year to conferences and meet clients (not a huge amount but still considerable) and my advice:
1. MBP is god-like for travelling, definitely heavy but feels like a PC and comfortable to use anywhere.
2. Ipad Pro with magic keyboard for working on airplane, taxi, coffeeshop with no comfortable table etc... (although you can't code you can complete other administrative tasks) or communicate with the team.
3. I have a bag that fits 5 chargers, my Kindle, Ipad and MBP with a place for passports and documents. I use it and take it everywhere, very easy to load and unload.
Finally, crazy advice, but try working from bed or lying down on a couch, your back will say thank you
Rule number 1: Never pay upfront, best option should be to charge hourly and pay daily. See that work is being done then pay. We too had to learn the hard way but consider it an expensive lesson.
Our firm is remote so one night before, I set the 3 main goals that I should do today, and schedule all meetings that need to be done + block out family time/workout/breaks ahead so no one can schedule a meeting at that time.
Wake up the next day, check what needs to be done and create a mini schedule on a paper or notes about how can I divide my day depending on it.
Works like a charm.
I think phone and video calls are:
1. for people who don't know each other, an assurance that they are working with a real person that looks professional etc...
2. For people who know each other, I think they are mostly for fun or entertainment that people maybe don't get through text, so don't really like it, but it has its use cases when you are looking for fast urgent exchange of information.
But when we are searching for clients, we always try to book a call ASAP with the client that 100% of the time increases the client's trust in our firm and what we do.
IMO, if you want to work with these large enterprises, you will need to hire someone that can do this fast, and be ready to answer many and many of their questions and remarks. They do pay well but there is also a lot of work.
But I do believe that the better you answer those and the more professionalism you show, would reward tenfold with such companies.